Roundhay
To many a Leeds resident, and indeed
city visitor, one of the nicest places to wander for a bit of fresh air is
Roundhay Park. One of the biggest parks in the city, Roundhay boasts huge
sprawling open spaces, with flower gardens, a cricket pitch, a lake with its
award winning restaurant/café, as well as a grand manor house. A favourite for
picnics and family days out in the Summer, and romantic walks around the lake in
the Winter, if you need to unwind, pack yourselves off here for a few hours and
we guarantee your stress will float away.
If outdoors isn’t your thing, or
you’ve got kids that need to be entertained, big kids included, Roundhay has
ready made entertainment with some of its indoor attractions. Tropical World is
the most famous, with coach loads of school children having paid it a visit,
along with tourists from far and wide. A sanctuary of all things elaborate, from
butterflies to bats and snakes to spiders, see animals who usually live in much
more tropical climes, all housed in giant greenhouses.
The bat house is a particulary good one
if you need to shut up a whining child, as it holds a few surprises that will
put them in their place! Surrounded by such elaborate animals it’s easy to
drift away, and daydream that you’re in fact in far away lands, in the Amazon,
or perhaps the desert, but of course it’s all within the wonders of Yorkshire
turf.
Roundhay's leafy avenues, impressive Victorian
houses, smart shops, trendy eateries and old terrace houses, owe there existence
to the ancient forest which became Roundhay Park. However,
the area goes back to long before the park existed. As part of the Kingdom of
Elmet, Roundhay witnessed much of the life, the struggles and the chaos of
Celtic, Roman and Saxon times. In the area of Elmet Hall and Roundhay Park,
Roman and Celtic relics have been found. When the Romans left Britain in 410AD,
Elmet became the seat of local government for the last of the British Kings. The
independence of Elmet was lost when Edwin conquered in 625AD and it came part of
English Northumbria. It was a Christian country at the time of the conquest and
it held out against paganism to remain true to it's faith.
Until the 1800's, thick forest formed a natural
barrier from Leeds, only approachable by treacherous cart tracks and devious
bridle routes. In the 13th Century three square miles of the forest became a
hunting park for the DeLacey family of Pontefract Castle. The name Roundhay is
derived from the circular "hay" or "round enclosure" created
to keep the deer from straying. Part of the original boundary ditch still
survives. Timber from the park was used for building material and fuel in
medieval times and iron ore was also in evidence in the southern half of
Roundhay, which was later made into waterwheels and machinery and Roundhay
Forge. In 1512, the Park and the Manor of Roundhay were separated and in 1803
the entire estate was sold to Thomas Nicholson and Samuel Elam. It was the
entrepreneurial Thomas who was largely responsible for landscaping of what we
today term Roundhay Park. The church of St. John's Roundhay was founded in 1826
and the Almshouses and Day School were built in 1837. Waterloo Lake was
developed around 1815 from an ancient quarry and it is so deep that it was used
to sink old weapons during the First World War! Named after the famous British
victory at Waterloo, at its southern end it had a spectacular sixty foot
waterfall.
At the Upper Lake, 72-year-old high wire artist
Charles Blondin wobbled over the water and Charles Parsons tested his torpedo.
The Hermitage was constructed in 1911 as a
summerhouse and "The Castle" was completed in 1821, was used by
hunting parties. Built in 1811-26, The Mansion was the crowning glory of the
park, enhanced by the beautiful Canal Gardens complete with rustic bridge and
stone lined pond. Roundhay Hall (formerly Allerton Hall) was completed in 1822
and now forms part of a private hospital.
The history of the park itself is a fascinating
story of power, prestige and self-interest, which has produced Leeds' greatest
jewel. The entire estate was purchased by the City Of Leeds and opened as a
public park by His Royal Highness Princes Arthur in 1872. The park was ridiculed
as a "White Elephant" as it was too far out of the city for the
majority of the population to enjoy, until the opening of the successful
Electric Tramway in 1897. Now the masses could reach the park, new amenities
were constructed. Cricket matches, cycle racing, magnificent gardens and even an
outdoor swimming pool made the park, at last, a resounding success. Today the
park has 700 acres of parkland, lakes and woodland as well as the wonderful
Tropical World. The Upper Lake is a wildlife area whilst the Park Arena is a
natural amphitheatre for special events. Facilities also include tennis courts,
skateboard ramps, sports pitches, bowling greens, a sports arena, a golf course
and fishing. However, Roundhay is much more than the park itself. The red brick
terraced houses built during the industrial revolution and the impressive
Victorian mansion are integral parts of Roundhay, where the past and present
merge into a lively and important suburb of modern Leeds.
Wikipedia
link
Chapel Allerton
Slightly south of Roundhay is the
cosmopolitan cubby-hole of Chapel Allerton. An area that’s come into its own
in the past couple of years as young professionals have clambered to live here.
There’s a community feel to it, but not in a "more tea vicar" manner, there’s
a definite sense of it being cool, but it’s also got an approachability,
something that all who live here appreciate the bond with. The lady in the
sandwich shop likes to chat, the girl in the hairdressers will recognise your
face, but head out on an evening, and it’s got the city buzz to keep you on
your toes.
The suburb is a haven for shoppers, diners and
night owls alike. You won't find a more hip and trendy place to be around the
Leeds or Harrogate area than the village of Chapel Allerton. It is a destination
that could sit comfortably within any cosmopolitan part of the world.
It buzzes with a great feel good factor, day and
night, and retains a wonderful sense of community and village friendliness,
despite being so close to Leeds city centre. Whether it's somewhere to live,
shop, have your hair done or while away a few hours at a restaurant or café,
this snazzy suburb is the place to be. The high number of independently owned
shops adds to Chapel Allerton's reputation as a place that offers a shopping
experience with the personal touch. The shops, bars and restaurants here
have a more individual feel to them than in the city. A great place for
shopping, you can be sure to pick something distinctive here.
Chapel Allerton has certainly carved out a name
for itself as a hip and happening place, with a vast array of shops, salons,
restaurants, bistros and cafes all spiralling the village's famous willow tree
landmark at the junction of Harrogate Road and Stainbeck Lane. Few other places
match Chapel Allerton for the diversity and individuality of its daytime
offerings - the Notting Hill of the north.
By night, north Leeds' cosmopolitan village,
Chapel Allerton, offers an exciting evening destination with a wealth of
fantastic venues to choose from. The buzz that exudes from this place during the
day is as evident by night and there is no shortage of places to go and things
to do, whatever the occasion. The busier, in-your-face nightlife of Leeds city
centre is not for everyone and Chapel Allerton offers a trendy, welcoming
alternative, very close by. There is no hassle negotiating busy streets to get
here, and it provides plenty of parking.
In recent years the number of contemporary cafes,
bars and restaurants has increased considerably as the village has become an
evening hotspot. Locals and visitors alike, enjoy Chapel Allerton's eclectic
offering of drinking and eating venues. Many of the cafes and restaurants,
especially towards the centre, extend onto the pavement. This creates Chapel
Allerton's very own piazza and a wonderful place to relax on a sunny day or
evening. There is nothing nicer when the sun is shining than sitting outside
watching the world go by, and this is a great place to do just that. Pubs play
an integral part of the life and community and, just as Chapel Allerton has
retained its village atmosphere, it has also kept many of its old watering
holes.
Chapel Allerton offers a very warm welcome to
visitors and locals alike and its overriding sense of community ensures that
there is always something going on locally for people to enjoy. Not one to keep quiet about its assets,
Chapel Allerton every year organises a colourful celebration of life in the
suburb with its very own Chapel Allerton Arts Festival. With an abundance of
weird and wonderful sights and sounds, the area really comes alive as the
streets are closed to traffic and instead are taken over by artists, poets,
comedians and musicians. The festival is organised each year by hard
working volunteers and is a fantastic event.
Wherever you choose to go in Chapel Allerton you
are guaranteed a good night out and friendly faces to share it with.
Wikipedia
link
Alwoodley
Alwoodley is a prestigious residential
area of north Leeds, characterised by larger detached and semi detached houses
often inhabited by affluent families and professionals. There is a mix of
established houses and new developments that have been built in recent years as
the area has become more popular.
There are several exclusive shops to be
found in Alwoodley, with the main shopping areas to be found in nearby Roundhay
and Moortown, where you’ll find a large Sainsburys, Comet, Blockbusters and
local shops to be found at the Moor Allerton centre.
Alwoodley Golf course is situated just
off the A61 to Harrogate and is very popular with local residents. It ranks as
one of the top fifty championship courses in the UK & Ireland and is second
in Yorkshire. In addition there is Sand Moor golf course nearby, a
well-established club that welcomes visitors.
Wikipedia
link
Moortown
Moortown is a very popular area of north
Leeds with a fine selection of specialist shops and cafés. It has a broad range
of housing from semi detached to large prestigious detached properties. The
strong popularity of this affluent area is reflected in its above average house
prices.
There is a good range of shops from
delis, banks and newsagents to a Marks and Spencer food hall. To compliment the
nightlife, there is a casino which is increasingly popular. The area benefits
from excellent local transport links including buses into Leeds and Harrogate.
There is a range of local pubs to suit
all tastes. Takeaways are available, but there are not many local restaurants.
You can, however find a large selection of restaurants, shops, takeaways and
bars on nearby Street Lane. Moortown Golf Club has one of the country’s finest
championship courses which hosted the 1929 Ryder Cup. It is a members club, but
does welcome visitors.
Wikipedia
link
Oakwood
Oakwood is situated next to Roundhay
Park and is known for the Oakwood clock on the corner of Oakwood's shopping
street. The main street is host to a number of good independent shops ranging
from tailors, boutiques, bookshops and art galleries and includes a few cafés
and restaurants, as well as conveniences such as a Post Office and newsagent.
There are two supermarkets Tesco and a smaller Somerfield, and the area is
always lively with Roundhay Park close by.
Housing includes large detached
properties as well as a range of more affordable semi detached property and
flats. There are plenty of buses in and out of Leeds, and residents often take
advantage of the open space of Soldiers Fields.
Wikipedia link
Adel
Adel is situated on the northern
outskirts of Leeds and presents a village feel having luckily avoided extensive
development. It is a highly desirable residential area and boasts some of the
most prestigious properties to be found in Leeds. It is a very popular area, due to its
proximity to the countryside, which has caused property prices to rise
considerably in recent years. Views of the lower Wharfdale countryside and quiet
streets and lanes make it popular with buyers looking for peace and quiet.
Golden Acre Park, situated between Adel and Bramhope, is a popular area for
families to visit with its extensive flowerbeds and lakeside walks.
Adel has a small centre that provides
access to shops and a few local pubs and restaurants. The Lawnswood Arms is
popular with families, offering play areas and family dining. There are regular
buses to and from the area and its close proximity to the outer ring road
ensures that Leeds city centre and the motorways are easily accessible. Leeds
Bradford Airport is a twenty minute drive away.
Wikipedia
link
Shadwell
Shadwell is an affluent picturesque
village situated to the north of Leeds. It is mostly inhabited by families, and
has many original stone built cottages and terraces in the centre of the
village. Open countryside is a stone’s throw away. If you enjoy golf then
Shadwell is the place to live, with three courses in the nearby area.
The village has grown over the last
fifty years and there have been several housing developments that have sprung up
with more modern semi detached and detached housing. Property tends to sell very
quickly in Shadwell and its popularity is reflected in the prices.
There is a village social club and the
Red Lion pub, which offers a good selection of food and drinks. Within the
village itself there are a few shops including a Post Office. However, a few
minutes drive out of the village is Slaid Hill, a residential area that has a
small parade of shops including a convenience store, restaurant, take-away, pub,
off licence and bakery etc.
Wikipedia
link
Scarcroft
Scarcroft is a prosperous village
situated just off the A58 (the main road to Wetherby). There are some older
stone built properties, and there are some more recent independently designed
large detached properties set back off the main road. With wide-open countryside
to either side of the village, Scarcroft is a very popular choice with families.
The one local pub, The Bracken Fox,
offers a good selection of food and drink. It has a beer garden and in the
winter it's open log fires are very welcoming. Nearby Scarcroft Golf Club has a
very picturesque course, is a members club, but does welcome visitors.
Wikipedia
link
Diversity of cultures
North Leeds is indeed home to many
different cultures and ways of life, from ‘Millionaires’ drive, to Leeds
Grammar School, to the golf courses and nail bars that keep high society happy,
to the community centres set up to help families from different backgrounds.
This is what makes the area diverse and it’s what makes the world go round.
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